Pottstown man jailed in domestic assault

NORRISTOWN — A Pottstown man has admitted to threatening and choking his former girlfriend while “highly intoxicated” during a domestic-related dispute in a borough hotel.

William Thomas Hinds Jr., 43, who had resided at the America’s Best Hotel on East High Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court on Tuesday to 11½ to 23 months in the county jail, to be followed by three years’ probation, after he pleaded guilty to charges of simple assault and terroristic threats in connection with his contact with the woman on May 22, 2012.

President Judge William J. Furber Jr., who accepted a plea agreement in the case, also ordered Hinds to complete an anger management counseling program and to undergo an alcohol evaluation. The judge further ordered Hinds to continue taking psychiatric medications that are prescribed by a doctor for a bipolar disorder, according to testimony.

Advertisement

“He admitted to assaultive behavior, namely his hands around her throat, and threats to her. I think (The victim) was terrified. She thought she was in grave danger,” said Assistant District Attorney Wallis Brooks, who sought a jail sentence against Hinds. “We got some important counseling put in place and some anger management treatment.”

As part of the plea agreement, Hinds is to have “no offensive contact” with the victim with whom he shares a child. The woman also has a protection order against Hinds.

“I think if we address the underlying issues of alcohol and anger and possibly the fact that he may not have been taking his meds as prescribed, if we can get these things under control, then hopefully we can avoid any issues in the future,” said Brooks, who leads the district attorney’s domestic violence prosecution unit, adding the victim was satisfied with the outcome of the case.

Hinds testified he could not remember the incident but he did not refute the woman’s claims contained in the police report nor photographic evidence of the woman’s bruises.

“He’s definitely got some mental health issues and some alcohol issues. There were some domestic difficulties as well,” explained defense lawyer Richard J. Tompkins. “I think it was a combination of all the factors I cited that caused him to erupt.”

“I think that they both realize that it’s not good for them to be together and that’s an appropriate resolution. I think the sentence was fair under all the circumstances,” Tompkins added.

Hinds, who told the judge he has a degree in culinary arts and has worked as a chef, did not respond to a reporter’s questions as he was led from the courtroom by sheriff’s deputies for the trip to jail, where he’s been since his arrest last May.

Court documents indicate borough police were dispatched to the America’s Best Hotel on East High Street for a domestic disturbance and found the victim “visibly upset and crying” with noticeable redness around her neck. The victim told police she was engaged to Hinds but that Hinds was staying at the hotel apart from her at her expense because her family did not approve of the relationship, according to the criminal complaint.

The victim told police she went to the hotel the morning of May 22 to pay for another night for Hinds. After making the payment, she went to see him in his room and found Hinds “highly intoxicated,” according to the arrest affidavit.

As the victim sat on a bed, Hinds allegedly pinned the victim by her shoulders to the mattress. According to the affidavit, the victim attempted to fight back but was overpowered by Hinds.

At that point, Hinds allegedly strangled her with both his hands and told her she’d never see their child again. The victim told police that Hinds looked “devil-like” and appeared “possessed,” the affidavit said.

The incident allegedly lasted several minutes as the victim pleaded for her life. Hinds eventually allowed her to leave and she contacted police.

Other charges of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and unlawful restraint were dismissed against Hinds as part of the plea agreement.

At the time of the incident, Hinds was on parole for a DUI conviction and so the new arrest represented a parole violation. For that violation, the judge sentenced Hinds to four months and 13 days in back jail time, which will run concurrently with the sentence in the assault case.